Finding the right candidate for your business is a challenge that requires broad advertising, rigorous interviews, and ultimately some give and take. Here are five hacks for outstanding recruiting in supply chain management.

From basic improvements like streamlining operations and increasing process efficiency to fully automating delivery trucks, technology is enabling much smarter, simpler supply chain management. Read about the three technologies making the most impact.

The subscription box industry launched by beauty products curator Birchbox in 2010 has expanded to include services for a remarkably wide range of consumer interests. A behind-the-scenes peek at this new e-commerce model reveals a highly complicated business that relies heavily on logistics pros managing everything from inventory to kitting to delivery and returns.

As product demand continues to rise, companies in all industries are partnering with third-party logistics (3PL) providers to ensure their products are delivered to customers on time and cost effectively.

Cruise ship provisions must support a small town at sea for a week or more. Supplies are loaded on a docked vessel in four hours or less; there’s no second chance for deliveries that arrive after the ship has sailed.

Winter provides a great advantage–time. The hustle and bustle of the holidays is over and colder weather prevails. There’s no better time to hit the books and amp up your knowledge of important logistics and supply chain management issues.

Even when the economy isn’t booming, the supply chain offers numerous opportunities for shippers to increase efficiency, save money and enhance revenues. This story looks at some of the bright spots in transportation, technology, global trade and outsourcing.

The supply chain strategy shift, from business cost efficiency to customer purchase location flexibility, is similar to the Copernican Revolution. Here’s how supply chain managers can increase product velocity using a customer-centric business model.

Supply chain professionals face increasing complexity. In order to succeed, they must prepare for data security concerns, identify preferred team member attributes, and develop a strong collective financial acumen.

3PL warehouses are not only in demand, but in a position of strength. This provides 3PL operators a unique opportunity to build lasting relationships with key customers, suppliers, and retailers of their choice.

As organizations continue to outsource, form partnerships and share data with third parties, a strong vendor risk management program that stays ahead or risks in the information supply chain has to be a top priority.

With no standard terminology in an already-complex industry, it’s not surprising that so many TMS buyers have trouble figuring out the differences between solutions and which one best fits their needs. Here's how to cut through the confusion.

The shared economy leverages shared access to goods and services to allow suppliers and consumers to redistribute and reuse excess capacity. Here's why the 'shareconomy' will be a supply chain game-changer and how professionals can begin moving in that direction.

While the rewards of global operations are substantial, so are the risks. Compliance failures delay shipments, disrupt operations, and negatively impact your bottom line. These five tips will help you mitigate risk.

Most companies have insurance to protect their property and equipment, their vehicles, and their operations from disruptions due to natural disasters and other events. For companies with extensive supply chains, cargo insurance can be an important addition to this list.

Aaron Leach is senior director of supply chain with Wayne Farms, LLC, in Oakwood, Ga. He has held this position since 2013. Wayne Farms is the sixth largest vertically integrated producer and processor of poultry in the United States.

Future of globalization uncertain in current political landscape, Carlos Slim says Trump presidency could be good for Mexico, IATA promotes advancement of air cargo standards, India seeks to expand air cargo infrastructure, 10 supply chain predictions for the future of manufacturing.

Choosing the right shipping software is critical because
it impacts your company’s bottom line. Here are eight
steps to take to ensure you choose the right solution for
your company’s individual needs.

To overcome the challenges that e-commerce presents to the supply chain, shippers need to succeed at omni-channel fulfillment. From leveraging brick-and-mortar stores to deploying an order management system, here’s how they can compete in an e-commerce world.

Today, we face the slow extinction of independent owner-operators. These self-reliant business owners are now dealing with a myriad of regulations that will soon make the owner-operator model impractical, and its survival improbable.

Suppliers have to be lean, fast, and innovative to meet their clients’ needs. To ensure they’re capable of being exactly that, OEMs need to bring in expertise across the whole business to ensure they get a strategic supply chain partner.

As Americans’ fondness for trucks and automobiles has grown, the specialized parts market represents the fastest growing subset of the automotive aftermarket. The emerging specialized parts sector of the automotive supply chain is vast and complex and requires skilled management.

The logistics of trade between the United States and Mexico has changed significantly in the 20-plus years since NAFTA was enacted. There are still issues, most notably border delays and an imbalance of goods flowing north and south, but there are bright spots supported by an influx of foreign direct investment in Mexico, too.

While the regulations that govern the movement of goods across borders can (and do) fill volumes, some are of particular importance right now. These include changes to the Harmonized System, revisions to the regulations regarding the export and import of hazardous waste, guidance on voluntary self-disclosures, mandates regarding electronic logging devices, and modifications to Cuba sanctions. This article provides an overview.

Today’s logistics and supply chain management students are practical idealists, people who want successful careers that draw on their knowledge, skills and talents while allowing them to make the world — and the workplace — a better place.

As wearable technologies, such as smart glasses and augmented reality, grow less expensive and more accessible, an increasing number of companies are exploring whether wearables could benefit their warehouse operation.

By managing inbound freight spend, shippers can decouple transportation costs from suppliers’ product charges and gain visibility to the lanes, volumes and synergistic opportunities that exist within their outbound network.

Are you thinking about pursuing a certificate or certification in the supply management profession to enhance your knowledge and improve your career possibilities? Here’s a checklist to get you started.

Faculty members from some of the nation’s leading logistics and supply chain education programs share their thoughts about how higher education is preparing tomorrow’s professionals for the challenges ahead.

Take your logistics and supply chain career to the next level by understanding how your skills can impact an organization, networking with other industry professionals, and continuing to develop critical skills.

Implementing material handling automation within a distribution center requires an experienced systems integration, which acts as a matchmaker to ensure the software communicates fully and freely with the facility’s equipment.

South Korean ocean liner Hanjin Shipping files for bankruptcy protection in a dozen countries; Few respondents to a GT Nexus survey say they have a chief supply chain officer on hand who would be equipped to deal with supply chain disruptions; Maersk splits its transportation and oil businesses

As professionals who understand the entire process of manufacturing, shipping, and marketing products, and who recognize that suppliers can be closely aligned with the company’s goals and objectives, chief procurement officers help define a company’s competitive advantage.

As consumers expect increasingly shorter delivery windows, last-mile proximity isn’t just nice to have, it’s a must-have. Will O’Shea of XPO Logistics’ offers these tips to leverage the last mile into a competitive differentiator.

Despite Lean traditionally being thought of as a “pen and pencil” technique, it is in fact a key enabler of a lean supply chain linking lean thinking with available and affordable systems and technologies to get the most out of improved processes.

As U.S. firms continue to reshore, new supply chain opportunities are arising for both shippers and providers. Manufacturers and their logistics service providers should understand the reshoring trend and the resources that are available to assist them with both the reshoring decision and process.

Hiring challenges in the supply chain sector include attracting the best talent, developing leaders, and retaining high performers. To solve these issues, employers must step up and build training programs that instill passion, share purpose, provide clear leadership and promotion tracks, are authentic, and ultimately diminish turnover.

Oregon-based manufacturer Blount International was bleeding money from leaks all across its supply chain. It found that the correct application of the right data management technology provided and maintained by the right partner was the solution to the problem.

Presidential nominee stances on transportation infrastructure; New truck standards aim to reduce U.S. carbon emissions; Staffing Agencies and Colleges Work to Make Certain the Supply Chain Stays Supplied

Inbound Logistics talks to carriers and third-party logistics (3PL) providers about sure-fire ways to save money on LTL shipments and serves up a list of 18 tips that will help shippers of all types and sizes.

Freight remains a key component of most companies’ transportation expense. Along with ensuring the freight bills are accurate and reflect contracted terms—a key capability—freight payment and audit firms can add even greater value.

On the water and in the air, by road and by rail, the Sunshine State stands out as a logistics superstar. But stick around awhile – it’s also a great place to live, work, and to keep your products safe for the long haul.

ElectriCities of North Carolina works with companies closely to make sure they weigh electrical service and costs when planning to expand a site or relocate to a new one. Utilities such as ElectriCities must explore the unique circumstances of each company to help them meet their electrical needs in the most effective and cost-efficient way possible.

Brexit shakes up global supply chain; Amazon invests $3 billion in India; Hyperloop targets Russia as site for science fiction-like transit tube; Australian truckies want better working conditions; Despite the best-laid plans by multinational companies to establish trade compliance, there’s a costly risk gap between knowing and doing that may lead to fines and incarceration.

With the growth of e-commerce, retailers have identified a potential opportunity to reduce working capital by thinning inventory at brick-and-mortar stores—opting instead to maintain major portions of inventory at distribution centers upstream.

If your company’s supply chain isn’t aligned with your overall business competitive strategy, then performance may fall short of expectations, with higher costs, poor execution, and reduced revenue and profits.

Keeping cargo secure requires visibility and the automation technology to enable this view into your shipments. Additionally, immediate access to rapidly changing requirements for import and export activities plays a key role in light of new security concerns.

Outsourcing trade compliance activities does not mean outsourcing trade compliance responsibilities. Here’s how to work with your forwarder to create a ‘win-win’ partnership where compliance is the top goal.

Success in the secondhand phone market requires the ability to spot and adapt quickly to market trends. The right supply chain partners can help maximize earnings and navigate the uncertain terrain ahead.

Technology can make the difference between profit and loss in a low-margin environment. As margins squeeze ever tighter, staying current with technology can make the ultimate difference ultimate success or failure.

When evaluating your needs for a transportation management system it’s important to look beyond technology and consider who will manage planning and execution. Use this advice to determine if a managed service provider will deliver greater value than developing an in-house team.

Importers need to know what they’re doing to ensure goods proceed through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as smoothly as possible, including understanding the relevant regulations and ensuring such information as the product descriptions and classifications are complete.

Healthcare organizations are transforming how they source supplies and connect with manufacturers and service providers to meet emerging patient demands, address healthcare legislation, support an overall focus on improving patient care, and lower healthcare costs.

Ice cream companies have to ensure their products maintain their quality as they travel from the manufacturing plant to distribution center to the retailer, and finally into the consumer’s shopping cart and home. Cold chain management and proper sanitation are key ingredients.

Emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things, 3-D printing, collaborative robotics, self-driving trucks, drones and the Uberization of deliveries are poised to be disruptive influences on logistics in the coming years.

Supply chain logistics companies view veterans as a crucial pool of potential employees, and consequently they are using a range of methods to recruit and hire former members of the military for their workforces.

Connected, intelligent, scalable, and rapid, the digital supply network is ready to be deployed today. Companies may hold on to the dying linear supply chain, but they are closing themselves off from a strategy that operates at a lower price point and enables growth.

Texts, tweets, and posts are changing the ways in which the supply chain operates. Large suppliers and warehousing companies should use social media to better communicate with consumers and maximize productivity.

By tapping into outsourced logistics support, shippers arm themselves with the technology, talent, and experience at a lower price than employed resources, which allow companies to invest and focus on their core competencies.

Disruption is coming to the freight and logistics industry. By seeing and understanding the full spectrum of operations, transport-oriented firms can survive and succeed in a dramatically changed environment.

STEM disciplines broaden the field of logistics and industry standards by involving process strategies, planning, implementation tactics, and optimization in supply and demand. This is a fact students are recognizing and capitalizing on.

The anticipated shifts in the European regulatory landscape introduce new tensions along the world’s supply chains. The establishment of cross-functional teams inside a company’s management structure can help an integrated strategy to succeed.

Planners use sophisticated supply chain modeling and simulation to gauge the results of decisions before enacting them and to prepare for a range of possible scenarios. The result is better-prepared companies with a more clear view of themselves and their futures.

Through automated, rules-based wave management and replenishment, American Hotel Register Company was able to eliminate manual sortation and create multiple, tailored options to proactively release orders by type.

As major airlines implement the eAWB single-process approach in March 2016, industry-wide involvement in the program is encouraged for all participants as paperless air cargo supply chain operations lower costs, increase data accuracy, and improve the customer experience.

The cornerstone of collaborative logistics is timely visibility. Data about orders, inventory, transportation, and spend need to all funnel into a common denominator big data repository and be readily accessible.

Now is the right time to improve your supply chain’s stability, scalability and resiliency. Transportation providers are seeking collaboration with shippers as their networks have also experienced significant change.

This story provides a look at how e-commerce and logistics information technology help small and medium-sized businesses gain advantages that allow them to compete as though they were larger companies.

If there’s one lesson that we’ve learned from fine bourbon or whiskey, it’s that good things come to those who wait. Distilleries know this better than anyone. But when it’s time to get that product out the door and in the hands of distributors, the last thing a distiller wants to do is wait.

Driven by the realization that business and society can no longer intersect at the crossroads of profits first and society second, business is embracing a new order that puts the interests of society on a level that is at par with the interests of business. This has prompted a closer look at the supply chain and an increased emphasis on sustainable sourcing.

From well-designed redundancies across intermodal shipping methods to creative solutions when the unexpected happens, Georgia’s logistics industry is positioned to help shippers connect, compete, and grow.

Military outsourcing is good in concept but often problematic in practice for several reasons discussed in this article. Contracting for services year after year in support of multi-front contingency operations and train and assist missions, all with no clear end-dates in site, has the potential to be harmful to the “profession of arms” (a vocation comprised of experts certified in the ethical application of combat power, serving under civilian authority, entrusted to defend the Constitution and the rights and interests of the American people) and cost more than anticipated. This article will discuss why military outsourcing is currently problematic and explore why the military outsources mission-essential services. A comparison of similar outsourcing incentives associated with both military and manufacturing industrial complexes is discussed, along with some advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing with these sectors. The article concludes with a prediction as to what the primary outsourcing drivers will be for future military and manufacturing outsourcing decisions.

It is critical that 3PLs take a hard look at operations to determine areas for cost reduction, productivity and efficiency improvements, and opportunities for new service offerings and revenue streams.

To help combat counterfeiting, the premium beverage industry is taking advantage of serial numbers on product packages to uniquely identify each product for increased connectivity throughout packaging operations and the supply chain.

Three recent developments—a shift to omni-channel retailing, an increase in manufacturing investment in Mexico, and the approval of the Trans-Pacific Partnership—are having a pronounced impact on automotive aftermarket supply chains. Here’s how automakers, auto parts suppliers, and logistics service providers can respond effectively.

As shippers evaluate existing, merged, or new 3PL providers, they should also be aware of their own processes and approach to vendor relationships and choose partners that best align with their strategies and needs.

The booming liquor business has added several layers of complexity to the supply chain with the addition of many new product SKUs. Shippers are using technology, data, and collaboration to keep the supply chain moving efficiently.

A connected warehouse maximizes warehouse efficiency, as well as positions a company to decisively navigate constant changes across the supply chain. Real-time data intelligence delivers the visibility and control needed to effect measurable improvements.

Establishing the groundwork and collaboration are vital to developing the solutions needed for the significant workforce challenges faced by the transportation industry. A key part of the mission is to attract women to the traditionally male-dominated transportation profession.

As the need for the transportation of items with potentially sensitive data increases, companies must assess the data risks and work with an ITAD provider to deliver a secure chain of custody process flow.

Reassessing your reverse logistics plan for customer returns and excess inventory is a must in today’s retail environment. Look beyond traditional methods and approach this obsolete merchandise as an opportunity (versus a headache) to positively impact your business margin.

A system developed by The Smart Cube pulls and aggregates information from all Elizabeth Arden’s contract manufacturers, providing a consolidated, accurate view of data across the company’s supply chain. The cosmetics giant now can see, in real time, the purchases its network of manufacturers makes on its behalf.

Waiting until next week, next month, or next year to address your company’s supply chain vulnerability is a serious mistake, with potentially catastrophic consequences. Use these tips to prepare for potential supply chain disruptions.

In the past 20 years, companies have experienced a profound shift, and have dramatically increased their spending on external suppliers. This places the supply management function in the spotlight as a key driver of profitability. The better supply management teams are at selecting, overseeing, and collaborating with these partners, the stronger their organizations will be.

Nutrabolt’s rapid growth created several logistics challenges, including processing orders efficiently and quickly; absorbing dramatic swings in order volumes to support promotional campaigns; and providing omni-channel fulfillment through a single warehouse. A third-party logistics partnership with Kane Is Able helped Nutrabolt meet these challenges.

3PLs tout IoT as top disruptive innovation in the supply chain; Hyundai and Accenture team up to design smarter ship; TMS use has tripled over the past decade; new sustainability web platform helps shippers assess key trends and best practices.

The Internet of Things is bringing major changes to the way companies plan and execute supply chain activities as sensors, communications systems, and analytics solutions all become cheaper, faster, and more capable.

Kelvin Miller, an equipment and mobility readiness spare parts allocation supervisor with the military contractor DynCorp International, manages inventory and gets it ready to deploy when the time comes.

A new study determines the top 15 undergraduate and graduate supply chain management programs in the United States, based on the teaching of technology, software, and quantitative tools used by supply chain professionals, as well as the variety and depth of this coursework.

Supply management professionals are increasingly accepting cross-functional cooperation in purchasing, supply management, production and inventory control to optimize overall company performance and increase competitiveness.

Today’s supply chain environment is more complex than ever, and it is important for business partners to work together across the value chain with the intent to maximize the benefit to their customers .

New regulations ensuring the integrity of the pharma supply chain are nearing the finish line. While some companies have taken an early lead to compliance, others are late getting out of the gate. Which team are you on?

Challenging weather and a remote location make delivering freight to and from Alaska a complex operation. To simplify operations, many shippers turn to transportation companies and logistics service providers that have the expertise to make sure freight flows smoothly despite the complexities.

U.S. beef supply chain participants form partnership to improve sustainability; Manufacturers and retailers fail to adopt best-in-class processes and technology to address global complexities; Online retailers need to rethink how they align their distribution networks; Spot market rates dip seasonally as West Coast volumes catch up; Staples and Syracuse University partner to drive new research and innovation.

United States and Canada are investing $7 billion in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence system; Changing political relations between the United States and Cuba could signal new trade opportunities; UK faces a truck driver shortage among younger people; Panama approves new port development

A route planning systems can drastically reduce the time it takes to plan your transportation schedule. Other benefits include lower mileage and fuel usage, decreased carbon emissions, and increased customer service.

Texas places three locations among ATRI’s top-10 congested roadways; Truck size and weight debate is a divisive topic for the transportation and logistics industry; Truck driver shortage raises new concerns and costs for shippers and carriers; Electronics supply chain poses new challenges; Demand planning is still a pain point for shippers

Vendor Managed Inventory is shaking off its old-school image and regaining popularity thanks to improved technology, robust communication, tighter demand signal linkage, and a new openness to collaboration that has turbo-charged enterprise benefits.

North America’s manufacturing sector is on an upward trajectory. However, a shortage of young talent, compounded by Baby Boomers’ negative perceptions about Millennials, could impact its continued expansion, according to ThomasNet’s latest Industry Market Barometer® (IMB) research.

Inclement weather and capacity problems giving your supply chain the winter woes? Chill out! Here are some good reads to keep you up to date on supply chain, logistics, and transportation best practices.

Technology is enabling an unprecedented level of transparency and communication to help shippers and their logistics providers understand each other's operations, and collaborate in ways that were much more difficult in the past.

Symphony RetailAI, and CPG manufacturers, announced the findings of a benchmark report. The fourth annual study, conducted by Retail Systems Research (RSR) and sponsored by Symphony RetailAI, shows enhanced efficiencies from previous years, but clear room for improvement in fulfillment strategies, demand forecasting, and inventory accuracy and visibility.

To better understand when shippers should send their packages during the holiday season, GrandCanals, the market leader in analytics-driven fulfillment, is launching an AI-powered website at where companies can view holiday ship-by predictions for 2018, updated nightly. These predictions are determined by artificial intelligence and consider both historical and current shipping trends across the GrandCanals Delivery Performance tracking network.

A retailer or manufacturer who has a clear monitoring program in place will have peace of mind going through this holiday season. When everyone in the supply chain knows exactly what is going to happen if products are damaged, then the groups can work better together to ensure products arrive safely and consumers are happy.

U.S. Great Lakes ports and the St. Lawrence Seaway had one of their busiest months of the season in October. Overall cargo shipments via the St. Lawrence Seaway totaled 30.5 million metric tons, up four percent over the same period in 2017.

There’s a lot of interest in the industry right now regarding advanced technologies like blockchain and AI and the benefits they could bring to logistics operations – and with good reason. But, for all the promise these appear to hold, there are proven enhancement-focused tools already available – in particular, scorecards – that supply chain managers should take full advantage right now to ensure optimized performance across all supply chain functions.

American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN), an industry-wide organization that provides supply chain assistance to disaster relief organizations and other non-profits, offers a few practical do's and don'ts to help during a disaster.

This story provides an update on the state of intermodal transportation in the U.S., including the conditions driving shippers to make greater use of intermodal, moves the railroads are making to improve service, and the factors that help to determine whether a shipment should go intermodal or over the road.

If you think Amazon can't or won't do something, banish the thought. Well-run companies with qualified and competent executives should insist that every effort be made to identify how and when Amazon can impact its business.

Five trends shaping the maritime industry will also impact shippers: carrier consolidation and alliances, the increasing sizes of ships, ports that have become chokepoints, advancing technology, and increasing concerns about the environmental impact of shipping.

Workforce and career development are on the national radar and many companies are stepping up with financial, time and expertise commitments to accomplish the goals of developing the U.S. workforce for tomorrow.

Innovations in logistics technology are making it possible to apply crowdsourcing long used for product design or marketing feedback in ways that are solving new problems that include final mile delivery of groceries and e-commerce orders to homes and businesses.

As a booming economy, an aging and shrinking driver workforce, and the new EDL mandate combine with other factors to create a truckload capacity shortage, shippers have to change how they do business to make sure they can move goods. Experts share how to survive in a new economy where truckers are in the driver’s seat in more ways than one.

Executing against the wrong e-commerce strategy – or not having a strategy at all – is a recipe for higher costs and lower customer satisfaction levels and can have a major negative impact on your business.

New York City Department of Transportation is keen on collaborating with shippers, transporters, and receivers to rethink their delivery schedule and shift to off-hour deliveries (OHD) with the goal of targeting 900 business establishments by the end of 2019.

In an effort to apply blockchain to the world’s global supply chain, Maersk Line and IBM have collaborated to develop TradeLens, a blockchain-enabled shipping solution to promote more efficient and secure global trade, bring together supply chain partners to support information sharing and transparency, and encourage industry-wide innovation.

The war between the retail/e-commerce customer experience and increasing costs is heating up, thanks to the impact that rising transportation prices are having on the retail process. That trend plagues e-commerce players and retailers, both large and small.

Home Depot will spend $1.2 billion to overhaul its supply chain to offer faster delivery for consumers and businesses. Walker Sands' 2018 Future of Retail report offers the home improvement retailer some advice:

Tech trends enable strategies that are reshaping global supply chains. These new technologies complement each other; used in combination they create synergies far beyond their individual impacts. Here are five key strategies that technologies of the near future will empower.

Large shipping losses declined by 38 percent globally over the past decade, but losses in Asia rose year-on-year, with incidents in the South China, Indochina, Indonesia, and Philippine maritime regions rising 25 percent.

Jim Barnes did not have a mentor at the start of his career. "No one taught me how to become a leader," recalls Barnes, chief executive officer of enVista, an Indianapolis-based supply chain consultancy and software firm.

Drone technology company Flytrex, in partnership with Aha.is—Iceland's largest online marketplace—launched 13 new routes for an autonomous on-demand urban drone delivery service to serve nearly half of Reykjavik.

On-demand services are becoming so much a part of our daily lives that millennials can't imagine a world before Uber or Postmates. Now, on-demand service is becoming a reality in the logistics real estate sector.

In recent years, a rise in e-commerce sales has led to an increase in the amount of items returned. This increase in returns creates a challenging situation for retailers and an opportunity for their 3PL providers.

Due to the sensitive nature of the products Allied exports, the distributor turned to automation to stay on top of increasingly complex and rapidly changing international trade policies, regulations, sanctions, and restricted party lists, which in some cases change overnight.

Shippers can take several steps to rein in airfreight costs. These include checking that it’s truly necessary, combining air with other modes of transportation, incorporating air into their ongoing logistics planning, and developing strong relationships with freight forwarders.

The aftermath of Hurricane Irma, which hit Puerto Rico in September 2017, created a severe shortage of IV bags in the continental United States. The reason: Baxter International, one of the major suppliers, manufactures the products in the U.S. territory and was crippled by the loss of electricity to the island. As a result, many hospitals in the United States suffered an acute shortage of the critical resource.

U.S. port authorities identify more than $20 billion in projected multimodal port and rail access needs over the next decade, while one-third cite pressing rail project needs costing at least $50 million for each of their ports, according to a new American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) survey, The State of Freight III.

When efficiency is the primary focus in integrated supply chain management, every little bit that helps to tighten both front- and back-end processes helps. Increasingly, companies in a variety of verticals are achieving such efficiencies by leaning on disruptive technologies.

Internal audits are the cornerstone of your compliance program. Monitoring your performance, and that of your customs broker, is the only way to determine if the policies and procedures you’ve put in place are effective.

As e-commerce continues to grow, footwear brands and retailers benefit from continually increasing sales. The challenge for e-tailers is to be profitable while dealing with fickle consumer tastes and product seasonality, a high return rate and large number of SKUs, and packaging that’s larger and bulkier than its parent category, apparel.

Humanitarian supply chains have an opportunity to employ best practices in performance management to make their donor dollars go far further than they do today. If you lead a humanitarian supply chain, what can you do?

Clearly, increased trucking costs are the new normal. Also as clear is the other dynamic, which is emphasized a little less these days but all the more important to offset cost increases in other areas: Use your logistics partner strategically and offset rising transport costs.

Slightly fewer than half of fleet operators responding to a Coretex Electronic Logging Device (ELD) satisfaction survey say the mandate is good for the transportation industry. Coretex surveyed 303 U.S. trucking companies of various sizes.

Led by a new crop of innovative executives, modern Class 1 railroads, along with real estate professionals, are responding to new logistics demands and spearheading substantial rail-oriented industrial development projects across the nation.

Nestlé, the world's largest food and drink company, and XPO Logistics, a global provider of transport and logistics solutions, are co-creating a 638,000-square-foot distribution center at the new SEGRO East Midlands Gateway Logistics Park in Leicestershire, UK.

We are evolving to the point where we can share information between members of the supply chain, automate processes such as ordering, quotation and route optimization, and collaboratively work together to manage the exceptions.

For shippers, importing to and exporting from Mexico can present a unique set of challenges. One of the toughest challenges that cross-border shippers in today’s market face is securing high quality capacity on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.

U.S.-based low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines flies into the international freight transportation field with the launch of a new Houston-Mexico City route. The carrier plans to add Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas to its network by end of summer 2018.

Shipper of choice and sustainability are trending terms among supply chain managers but they’re nothing new to the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies in North America. The company’s logistics operation has a long track record of attracting carriers that share a commitment to customer service, efficiency, and sustainable transportation.

It’s a boon year for third-party logistics providers offering innovative, flexible, and reliable solutions to meet shipper demands. Presented alphabetically, these are the 100 3PLs Inbound Logistics editors chose as the best of the best. Search the 3PL Decision Support Tool for an even deeper dive.

A lack of accountability is contributing to the 1.3 billion metric tons of food being wasted along the supply chain every year, equating to one-third of all food produced, attendees heard at the CCA's recent conference in Luxembourg.

How companies are adopting demand segmentation and leveraging its benefits in tackling demand volatility and channel shifts is the subject of a new report, Demand Segmentation Users are Better Equipped to Manage Their Channel Challenges.

While technology is helpful in executing specific tasks, it cannot alone replace quality human interaction. Shippers should make sure their 3PL provider is working with them in an efficient, friendly, and attentive manner.

Each year, the Inbound Logistics Readers’ Choice Top 10 3PL Excellence survey gives shippers the chance to give a shout-out to providers that have taken on so much of their load. Here are the best of the best.

Consolidating three independent operating companies into one at Smithfield Foods is triggering significant changes in the three organizations’ supply chains. Reducing complexity and improving visibility are not only making supply chain processes more efficient, they’re also saving money and helping the corporation achieve its sustainability goals.

By 2019 there could be 224 million digital shoppers in the U.S., and according to research by McKinsey, about 70 percent of those shoppers will choose the cheapest form of home delivery. Why? Because of increased consumer preferences and the evolution of warehouse-to-home delivery systems.

It could be the best of times – or the worst of times – depending on how you incorporate certain elements of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) into your financial reporting. With proper planning and forecasting, businesses across the manufacturing and logistics industries may reap substantial benefits under the new tax law. However, it all depends on your unique business situation and how you choose to apply some of the different incentives to achieve your financial reporting objectives. Your vigilance and planning could help you take advantage of some of the corporate-positive changes while mitigating any potential negative effects.

Inbound Logistics features its annual G75—a carefully curated list of 75 companies that go above and beyond to ensure their global supply chains are sustainable, and their operations are socially and environmentally friendly.

According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the industry expected a driver shortage of more than 50,000 at the end of 2017. Unfortunately, it’s projected to only get worse. By the ATA’s projections, the shortage could extend to more than 174,000 drivers by 2026.

Small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) struggling for equal footing in the global economy increasingly look to cross-border trade for growth, seeing technology as a way past obstacles in shipping and compliance, according to new research from Shipa Freight.

Brace yourself for some mechanical marvels that could punch up DC and factory productivity. Fighting gravity, strain, and injury, these mechanized support systems give warehouse and assembly line workers near-superhero strength and Iron Man-like stamina

Is more always better? When it comes to a shipper's supply chain and big data, more data doesn't necessarily equate to better productivity. How you leverage and utilize the influx of data is what's key. Use these tips to utilize big data to drive performance in their supply chains.

Microsoft has entered a partnership with ocean carrier OOCL to develop artificial intelligence (AI) in shipping, with the goal of helping Microsoft better understand and predict shipping patterns and variables.

The current expansion phase for U.S. industrial and logistics real estate appears poised to surpass the typical lifespan of an economic cycle due to demand from e-commerce companies, according to a new report from CBRE.

To attract women who want to pursue graduate degrees in supply chain management, the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics announced a new scholarship in partnership with AWESOME (Achieving Women's Excellence in Supply Chain Operations, Management, and Education), an industry-wide organization for senior-level women in the supply chain field.

If you spend too much time clearing privacy protection notices from your email box, thank the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). But what exactly is this regulation and how might it impact future supply chain technological innovation?

The talent gap continues to be a concern in the supply chain/logistics sector. To help combat it, many universities and educational institutions are working to attract new students to the sector, and provide appropriate training. One such school is the University of Washington, College of Engineering-Supply Chain Transportation and Logistics master's program.

Blockchain technology creates a global and trustworthy history of a product—from transaction to production to consumption. It has the potential to revolutionize workflows across international borders, empowering an automated, connected supply chain with simplicity and traceability.

Time will tell if subscription retail is a viably long-term innovation for the retail industry as a whole, or merely the next iteration of online shopping. But it’s a retail trend that has certainly not yet reached its peak.

Retailers and manufacturers are beginning to seek a solution to eliminate supply chain silos and transcend the restrictions of traditional TMS static rules and rates that lead to customer disruptions and cost inefficiencies.

The key to supply chain visibility is a common system that all stakeholders can use to plan their moves, be alerted to changes as they occur, and make real time adjustments to keep the supply chain moving smoothly.

Even after adding a third production shift to its foundry, Lodge Manufacturing Company couldn’t manufacture enough cast-iron cookware to fill orders. To meet demand, the family-owned business in southern Tennessee invested $85 million in a second foundry, a modern 212,000-square-foot distribution center, and the company’s first warehouse management system, mobe3 from EVS.

Carriers, shippers and logistic service providers are facing new challenges today. With digitalization, all players in the supply chain will require instant and efficient response time to their questions or concerns.

Here are some warehouse operations moves—some small steps, some not—companies can do to boost their bottom lines and improve customer satisfaction, including layout and organization, docking, picking and receiving, fulfillment, and packaging.

To find additional capacity, strategic, proactive sourcing methods based on technology specifically created for transportation procurement can uncover hidden carrier capacity by connecting shippers to logistics service providers.

It can be easy to ignore the efficiency of administrative activities in the supply chain but office activities can constitute approximately 50 percent of the order to shipment lead time. Here’s how to apply lean tools to your office.

This second-annual report is designed to help warehouses increase both their market share and profitability by addressing the most dramatic change of all—The Rising Demand for a Superior Customer Experience.

When Lindsey Graves joined Sunset Transportation in 2006, the founder and CEO—who happens to be her father—asked her to learn the business by spending some time in every possible role. As the years progressed, that didn't mean dealing just with the company's freight operations.

When we said 2017 was one of the most disruptive years for global supply chains in recent years, thanks to natural disasters, geopolitical conflicts, and regulatory upheaval, we couldn’t have foreseen the twists and turns that would take shape in 2018.

As closer supply chain ties are forged with vendors, logistics managers must increasingly collaborate with procurement. To provide insight, a new study illuminates today's procurement process, and the many challenges purchasing managers face.

Investing in new and improved information technology and robotic process automation (RPA), talent shortages, and trade protectionism are predicted to be the top trends in service delivery for 2018 and the next several years, according to the latest quarterly KPMG Global Insights Pulse survey.

Having tools such as predictive analytics technology integrated with artificial intelligence while still enthusiastically embracing the craft of logistics will be how our industry truly innovates for our clients.

A mix of experienced logistics service providers, resilient infrastructure, flexible transportation options, and a seasoned workforce combine to make Alaska a land of promise for companies doing business with the state.

Every two years, the Olympics bring together some of the best athletes in the world. But in between the games, supply chain professionals, logistics experts, and manufacturers work to bring the event itself together.

2018 looks to be off to a flying start for the air cargo industry, according to World ACD, but it may be too early to celebrate. Worldwide air cargo yield dropped to USD $1.89 (U.S. dollars) in January 2018, 7.8 percent below December, but 16.8 percent higher than January 2017.

Inbound Logistics' 14th annual Global Logistics Guide presents a transportation and logistics world atlas to help you stay on top of shifting global dynamics and identify and map out continents and countries that require further exploration.

Participating beneficial cargo owners can benefit from enhanced purchasing power, service monitoring, and cost transparency as a result of a new partnership between supply chain consulting company Chainalytics and global shipping consultancy Drewry.

Seaports are a vital economic engine for the United States and a huge driver of demand for industrial real estate. Imports represented 63 percent of the total loaded cargo volume in 2017 for the top 13 ports in the United States.

To gauge shipper perspectives on trade in today's world, and particularly about the shift in free trade agreement (FTA) focus, global logistics and transportation solutions company BDP polled U.S. importers and exporters attending its 29th Annual Regulatory Compliance Seminar in Houston in late February.

The rise of e-commerce, coupled with manufacturing and logistics facilities implementing robotics and other emerging technologies in the production process, has caused demand for digitally savvy workers with trade skills to skyrocket.

The nation's top-performing, most cost-effective highways can be found in North Dakota, Kansas, South Dakota, Nebraska, and South Carolina, according to the latest edition of the Reason Foundation Annual Highway Report.

2017 was another banner year for the industrial real estate market, in large part due to consumer confidence, which hit a 17-year high in December, according to Transwestern's year-end national industrial report.

Shippers express concern about finding capacity, but how do carriers see the situation? To find out, Transporeon Group, a cloud-based supply chain execution platform provider, surveyed its base of more than 3,000 North American logistics service providers.

Providers that specialize and target a specific industry, geographical market, or will limit their service offering are referred to as niche 3PL’s. Here are some of the advantages to using a niche 3PL over a traditional provider.

E-commerce continues to mow down traditional business practices. To adapt, companies serving manufacturing, industrial, and retail customers are seeding their portfolios with new services, and not letting any grass grow under their feet.

With a digital model of the global supply chain, companies can realize collaboration, automation, analytics and flexibility. The result is a transformed global supply chain with improved margins, greater agility, and reduced risk.

As cargo volumes and the complexity of port operations continue to increase, the Port of Long Beach and GE Transportation are collaborating on a pilot project to improve cargo flow, increase visibility, and enhance real-time decision-making.

MIT and JDA Software will team up to advance research on intelligent supply chains, including machine learning, optimization, and consumer behavior modeling. The collaboration leverages both parties' business domain expertise and customer base.

The symbiotic relationship between trade compliance and supply chain is the cornerstone of a shipper’s competitive advantage. You know this well, but you may be unfamiliar with how NAFTA affects your entire supply chain.

As the shipping and transportation landscape adapts to changing business needs and technology capabilities, it’s essential for industry groups to come together and support a sustainable logistics ecosystem.

In today’s complex marketplace, supply chain professionals need a varied set of skills and competencies to help their employers succeed — everything from a strategic orientation to a comfort with data and an awareness of social and environmental obligations.

What does 2018 have in store? Inbound Logistics asked industry watchers what tops their list of terms that will dominate conversations this year. The consensus is that the supply chain community will see these six terms continue to emerge and gain traction in the market.

In the rush to satisfy ever-increasing demands for speed and efficiency, and the clarion calls to deliver your best customer experience, supply chain managers need to consider that impact on the worker experience.

With its distribution center approaching capacity, Michael Kors had several options to consider, including one that would expand the existing facility. The fashion company turned to supply chain software company LLamasoft for help evaluating possible solutions. The collaboration also led to Michael Kors developing a core supply chain decision-making capability as well as systems it could use for other purposes.

As more and more consumers order delivered meals from restaurants or through pre-packaged meal kits, foodservice companies will need to focus on quality and safety as much as they do speed and cost-efficiency.

Crumbling U.S. transportation infrastructure gets worse every year, and failure to address it soon will leave us in the midst of a crisis we can’t dig out of. There’s no more time to sit on our hands; it’s up to the U.S. government and the private sector to act before we reach a point of no return.

Technological advances in the past decade have provided shippers with increasingly detailed visibility of their supply chain from end to end. As the tools available to view the supply chain become more sophisticated, shippers are taking advantage of this new level of insight to improve efficiency and better manage their inventory. Shippers no longer view supply chain visibility as a tool designed only to help cut costs – they see it as a potential contributor to growth.

Digital loadboards are transforming the spot market from a people business to a fast-paced online marketplace that matches freight and shippers faster than ever. Shippers can tap into the flexibility of the spot market while working with carriers that meet their standards.

Supply chain financing allows companies to delay paying for transportation or goods while suppliers are still paid quickly – for a fee. While it might seem counterintuitive, participants say it’s a win-win for all. Here’s how it works and trends worth watching.

Supply chain technology ecosystems are evolving as once distinct processes for executing TMS, WMS and YMS functions converge. Is the best path forward stitching together a trifecta of best-of-breed technologies, or going all-in on a single instance, single platform for all three?

Global trade disruptions come in all shapes and sizes, and can wreak havoc on supply chains. Find out what proactive strategies and tactics leading companies are using to tackle the escalating challenge of supply chain risk management.

Artificial intelligence, hidden cameras, robots—These are not part of a new movie, but reflect daily life in a "hurry up" world of impatient consumers. Read how supply chains are adapting to serve a market increasingly driven by e-commerce and Amazon-like business models.

Vendor-managed inventory partnerships strive to improve efficiency by allowing suppliers to maintain the inventory of their products at the stores and other locations operated by their partners in the supply chain. VMI relies on a tight-knit collaboration between supplier and buyer to improve product availability while decreasing excess inventory.

E-commerce is redrawing the landscape for freight transportation. Do truckload carriers have a place in this new world of high-velocity supply chains, especially as shipments get smaller and delivery windows shrink?

With one in every six jobs now tied to manufacturing, American-made products are making a profound comeback in today’s progressive U.S. economy. Known as Industry 4.0, this trending wave of innovative disruptors - 3D printing, robotics, big data, and the Internet of Things - is changing the global supply chain and the world's geo-political view of American manufacturing.

The current U.S. administration is not averse to disruption, and risk professionals in the supply chain and logistics sector need to be prepared to manage political and regulatory unknowns. Here's how.

The perfect storm is here: between the back-to-back hurricanes of 2017, the electronic logging device (ELD) mandate going into effect, and the ongoing driver shortage crisis, the transportation industry is experiencing a critical capacity crunch.

The Global Food Safety Initiative is working to improve food safety across the globe through GFSI-recognized certification programs and its platform for collaboration, and by reducing redundant audits and developing food safety capacity around the world.

The pace of transformation in supply chain and logistics shows no signs of stopping in 2018 and changes in commerce, technology, demographics, and regulation will have huge implications on the industry.

This story looks at some ways in which companies are using IoT or IIoT technology along the supply chain and discusses the added value companies will gain as they move from discrete applications to integrated ones.

As more consumers choose e-commerce for a variety of goods, how are less-than-truckload carriers being impacted? Trucking companies are developing new strategies to serve retailers and manufacturers creating the goods that impatient consumers expect fast and free.

Supply chain collaboration (SCC) is vital for companies to make critical decisions quickly and outpace the competition. But, are the key concepts of collaboration a current reality or a myth? This article breaks them down.

New IDC research provides manufacturers the top 10 predictions and underlying drivers expected to impact future IT investments; new report on fashion industry outlines a human-centered supply chain; in a workforce being transformed by the rise of the gig economy and the restructuring of industries, what attitudes and behaviors do procurement professionals need to sprint up the career ladder

The inaugural 2018 CSCMP/Penske Young Professionals Survey sheds light on what young professionals are looking for in a career. Understanding their motivators is key to solving the supply chain talent gap.

Eighty-four percent of industrial companies face a disconnect between data from connected devices and strategic decision making and operations, limiting the Internet of Thing's (IoT) digital transformation potential, according to a research study conducted by IFS, a global enterprise applications company.

Many shippers rely on the Advanced Shipping Notice (ASN) in which the supplier alerts you of pending deliveries. You may see a product name, a PO#, and select dates, but the ASN does not contain the details that receiving or warehouse management needs. There is a better way.

We all know the best way to approach an unguarded railroad crossing is to stop, look, and listen. That same advice applies when examining the economy, which will likely roar through 2018 at full speed.

The continued migration of people to cities and increase in online shopping will generate more freight deliveries to and within urban areas. Let’s talk about your company’s futureproof strategy to meet the challenges and opportunities of smart city logistics head-on.

Capacity is getting tighter across the board. Some carriers may not be willing to commit capacity in lanes they were previously happy to do so. What’s a shipper to do? Should companies use the spot market less?

Businesses are concerned about the impacts of urbanization; Manufacturers embrace IIoT to improve quality and operational visibility; Hurricanes will cost U.S. GDP about .5% in the third quarter of 2017

FedEx and UPS set aside rivalry to lobby White House on infrastructure, Retailers will rely heavily on technologies such as live chat, Facebook Messenger and Amazon Alexa for customer service, according to new research from Linc and Brand Garage, Research shows that U.S. industry executives are most concerned about the impact of trade protectionism, risk management, and border adjustment tax proposal

Harvey’s impact is being felt throughout the Southwest as transportation spot market pricing is expected to spike. The consumption of transportation resources through the combined effects of idling labor, equipment damage, and relief efforts will have ramifications for many months.

New technologies, consumer demands, and the rise of the mobile workforce are shifting the business landscape quickly, and specialized workers in supply chain and logistics are more valuable than ever. Use these tips to plan and attract the industry’s future leaders.

The bridal wear supply chain is unlike any other in the apparel industry in that most bridal gowns are made to order, wedding dates create hard and fast dress deadlines, and emotional brides can turn a minor supply chain snafu into a major meltdown. Long lead times for dress manufacturers help make sure that deadlines get met and wedding parties are happy.

Organizations have already begun to transition the delivery of supply chain and logistics services from an internal model to an external one, says a recent market study by KPMG and HfS Research. Here's how companies should leverage future trends revealed by the study to create intelligent supply chains.

To uphold a reliable supply chain, companies should have a business continuity plan. Here are the lesson learned in the aftermath of the Tianjin port explosions in August 2015 and how you can apply them to your supply chain.

In any business venture that sells vast amounts of product at a time, fast and accurate counting methods are essential. Here are some ways to make sure you get the most accurate and efficient count from your counting scales.

As professional logisticians and supply chain managers, we are in a unique position to assist military service members transition into jobs in the supply chain sector. Here's why it's critical to help them and how to do it.

Distribution centers (DCs) play a key role in the overall success of each peak season, as supply chain professionals must meet the surge in consumer demand and fulfill orders efficiently. Here are 10 ways to help you identify and fill seasonal needs of distribution centers.

From item-level inventory data and GPS to condition monitoring and signals from social media, new data sources are augmenting available supply chain data. Find out how to extract value from this influx of information.

Supply chain professionals are concerned: Would the new president implement the protectionist measures he campaigned on, or were those statements made primarily to appeal to an audience? Here are four supply chain predictions.

Having all supply chain players connected to an intelligent cargo system maximizes the use of port infrastructure and keeps everyone informed on the “where is my cargo?” question. Accessing and sharing information on cargo through new technologies will not only smooth flows but it will also secure them.

The Canadian eManifest improves security by receiving cargo and conveyance information before a shipment arrives at the border. Here's what companies involved in U.S.–Canada highway transport should know about the regulation to improve efficiency, boost productivity, and increase compliance rates.

The supply management sector is becoming increasingly more strategic, requiring its professionals to develop new competencies while they are in the midst of busy careers. Here's how e-learning helps supply chain professionals stay competitive.

With demand for speed and convenience at an all-time high, companies must streamline and speed up order fulfillment. Technology that allows sales reps and customers to rapidly write orders and submit them almost instantaneously for fulfillment is a major competitive advantage.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) implemented the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requirement to verify container weight as a condition to load marine cargo into a ship. It recently issued a memo on how to enforce the requirement for three months after July 1, 2016 when it will go into effect. How should shippers interpret this update?

On May 1, 2016, North American companies that trade with the EU and those with operations in the EU witnessed the beginning of the largest change to European customs procedures in the past 20 years. Find out more about the Union Customs Code (UCC).

The St. Louis region offers an ideal transportation infrastructure to move goods, skilled labor to meet the peaks and valleys of industrial demand, and the availability of highly qualified IT personnel to manage staff and facilities.

The reverse logistics hazmat rule became effective immediately upon publication on March 31, 2016, making it critical that retail store owners and distribution managers get up to speed quickly. Here's how.

Companies are beginning to understand that they need to develop a labeling strategy to meet all of the challenges of today’s global supply chain. Here's how to implement an enterprise labeling approach.

A solid foundation of supply chain experience and education is just the beginning. Supply chain practitioners need to periodically update their knowledge as well. Here’s how companies are getting with the program— customizing curriculums and encouraging employees to enroll in executive education programs.

Contract manufacturer Apex International had seen its growth halt as it struggled to deliver products on time and provide sufficient quality control. With the help of Simpler Consulting, Apex adopted Lean management principles to transform its culture and return the company to a path of growth.

When Thermo Fisher Scientific wanted to improve worker safety in its bioproducts cold chain warehouse, it developed a novel deli-door solution that reduced the number of pickers in the cold storage and freezer spaces, dramatically improved picking safety and efficiency, and created more product storage space.

New York State minimum wage directive may be a tipping point for automation in the fast food industry; Organic food recalls are on the rise; Alix Partners reports that nearshoring trend continues to grow; Pro truck interests take weight restriction fight in new direction; 2015 holiday shoppers are looking for options; The cash handling supply chain is poised to move from manual processing to scanning technology, thanks to the new GS1 US Cash Visibility Discussion Group.

No matter how thoroughly safety training requirements are followed, there are still likely to be gaps in your company’s loading dock safety efforts. Use these tips to better shape safety training plans.

Companies searching for the just the right spot to locate their manufacturing plants, warehouses, and other facilities rank energy high on the list of their priorities. This article explore the sites that rise to the top of the list.

Inbound Logistics’ annual Logistics Technology Perspectives offers market research to help IT buyers and users make better sense of what’s going on in the industry. And, the Top 100 Logistics Technology Providers list celebrates best-in-class innovators that are helping shippers revolutionize their supply chains.

Determining the best location for a new or expanding business in an increasingly competitive and global marketplace is challenging. These locations offer a number of advantages when it comes to meeting today’s logistics and supply chain needs.

When a merger required Nature’s Way to consolidate distribution facilities, it called on the services of system supplier The Numina Group for a new design and technologies. Today, the facility successfully distributes products to customers in 50 states, and overseas through five supply chain channels.

Jacksonville, Florida’s transportation infrastructure, skilled workforce, and available land makes it an attractive site for businesses siting new locations for logistics services and manufacturing, writes Michael Breen of JAXUSA Partnership.

The transportation and logistics sector is in the midst of some of its biggest changes since deregulation, and 2013 will play a pivotal role in discerning which companies will rise to the top, writes Chad Eichelberger of Access America Transport.

Whether you want to casually brush up on your supply chain management techniques or drastically reorganize your purchasing processes, you’ll find the knowledge you need in the pages of these supply chain resources.

In a business world defined and dictated by change, supply chain management balances challenges and competitive advantage. Companies large and small are leveraging transportation and logistics best practices to act as great equalizers.

A well-oiled trading partner network allows one-to-many and many-to-many partners to collaborate and communicate using a single source of truth garnered from real-time information, writes Christopher P. Mazza of IAS.

Supply chain visibility helps flag upcoming supply or demand problems, allowing a company either to take action to prevent disasters or to respond by activating backup plans, writes George W. Prest of Material Handling Industry of America.